Econ70

The nation’s second largest auto lender wrote off an annualized 1.37% of its outstanding auto loans in Q3, up from 1.01% in Q2. Why? Used car prices are falling for the first time since 2008 as the number of cars…

Clinton’s probability of winning the general election hit a post-Labor Day high of 88% on 10/17, two days before the third debate. Since then it’s steadily declined and now stands at 68%. Were the election today, Clinton would probably receive…

While demographics, regulation, and dominance of bigger businesses may be part of why the economy is growing slowly, another factor is probably the dwindling relevance of startups. Since 1977, the number of firms less than a year old has steadily…

While 16Q3 annualized GDP growth was 2.9%, a two-year high, it was primarily because of a swing in inventories, which is unlikely to be repeated, and a one-off rise in soybean exports. Conversely, consumer spending grew by 2.1%, down from…

The Friday File: Five state currently allow for recreational marijuana; 20 more states permit medical use only. This election, voters in Arizona, California, Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada, states with a combined population of almost 60 million, will vote to allow…

While September’s new home sales rate came in below expectations at 593,000/year and August’s number was revised down to 575,000 from 609,000, sales are up 13% YTD. Moreover, the home ownership rate rose from 63.1% in 16Q1 to 63.4% in…

Despite soaring student debt levels, the median borrower between 20 and 30 pays $203/month with the average payment $351/month, primarily because some students borrow large amounts for graduate school. These surprisingly low payments result because many borrowers take 20 and…

While markets expect a Clinton victory on 11/8, they also feel a Democratic takeover of the Senate is a distinct possibility. What markets fear is the outside chance the Democrats also pick up the House! Either way, the Democrats are…

The Friday File: Include all forms of gambling, in 2015 the total spent in the US was $104.1 billion, of which $20 billion was generated from state lotteries. As for casinos, $38.3 billion was wagered in commercial casinos and $29.3…